Ragdoll Cat Forums

So my brother in law's going out of town and we're dogsitting for him. His dog's behaved around cats, and doesnt try to eat them or chase them... heck, she barley notices that they even exist.

My problem is that my cats overreact to the littlest things sometimes, and since a dog being around is certainly a big deal, what should I do about them?

Angel's due in about a week or so, Zoe's due near the end of August. I dont want to stress them out too much, so how am I to go about getting these two girls to not stress out and abort their litters on me? Its happened before when I was younger, where the stress of a dog coming in caused the moggie we had to abort her litter. Its not really Angel I'm worried about, she's so spacey that she probably wont even notice the dog. Its Zoe that I'm worried about, she came from a bad situation and the last thing she needs is more stress. She's handling the transition from cattery-cage to underfoot house cat so well that one wouldnt know that she was ever caged in her life, although she does have some odd habits (sleeps near the litterbox, doesnt realize that she's free to jump on things, cries a LOT when left alone)

There isnt really anyone else to watch the dog either, so we're more or less stuck with it. Its a large breed of dog, but she's behaved around cats.

Should I lock the girls up during the day, and let them out at night when the dog is crated? It seems like the best thing to do.

BTW, unfortunately, our puppy Curly had to be put to sleep because she was very ill with a puppy disease otherwise I think the girls would be fine with the idea of a dog coming.

Heh I guess I answered my own question as that's probably what I'm going to do. I guess I needed to type it out? Bah.. I'm suffering from pregnancy brain lol.

If it were me, I would not be dogsitting at this time. But since you probably cannot make other arrangements now, I would keep the dog completely separated from the cats at all times, but that's just me. That might not be feasible though, which I why there's no way I'd have agreed to dogsit.

It wasnt even my idea, it was arranged without my knowledge by hubby. Ugh.. bad timing.. baby's due this week, pregnant cats, and now a dog.

oh my, I have to say Im even surprised they would ask you to dogsit for them? I would really explain that it is just too much for you right now. Between 2 pregnant cats and your own baby due this week. Sorry, as much as I love to help people, I would have to say no since it would be at the expense of my own pets well being.

Me too. I think you and your baby comes before the dog but I also do not say NO very well at all. Good luck on this one.

Sounds like you've got your hands full!!

I would definitely keep the dog away from the cats, or vice versa, at all times. I had a foster cat in when my last litter were about 10 weeks old and their Lola went mental, hissing and attacking the foster cat every time he was anywhere near her kittens. Stress during pregnancy is even worse for them.

I have the girls in the birthing room for now, the dog will be in there at night while the girls get let out.

George is in his room, so that wasnt my concern at all, I might actually just let him out since the girls are in the birthing room for the day.

*sigh* I have the hardest time saying no to anyone for anything.

I'm about to give birth any time now, and I really think it'll happen soon. The kitten babies are actually more what I'm worried about than the human one for some reason. I think its because I know I'll be fine, but its Zoe's first litter and Angel.. well, I'm not worried about her capabilities, its more I'd like to actually SEE the birth this time as she's got this habit of waiting till we're gone to have her babies lol.

BlueSkyRagdolls Wrote:I have the girls in the birthing room for now, the dog will be in there at night while the girls get let out.

But wouldnt that cause just as much stress to the girls because they can smell a strange dog in THEIR room???

BlueSkyRagdolls Wrote:So my brother in law's going out of town and we're dogsitting for him. His dog's behaved around cats, and doesnt try to eat them or chase them... heck, she barley notices that they even exist.

My problem is that my cats overreact to the littlest things sometimes, and since a dog being around is certainly a big deal, what should I do about them?

Angel's due in about a week or so, Zoe's due near the end of August. I dont want to stress them out too much, so how am I to go about getting these two girls to not stress out and abort their litters on me? Its happened before when I was younger, where the stress of a dog coming in caused the moggie we had to abort her litter. Its not really Angel I'm worried about, she's so spacey that she probably wont even notice the dog. Its Zoe that I'm worried about, she came from a bad situation and the last thing she needs is more stress. She's handling the transition from cattery-cage to underfoot house cat so well that one wouldnt know that she was ever caged in her life, although she does have some odd habits (sleeps near the litterbox, doesnt realize that she's free to jump on things, cries a LOT when left alone)

There isnt really anyone else to watch the dog either, so we're more or less stuck with it. Its a large breed of dog, but she's behaved around cats.

Should I lock the girls up during the day, and let them out at night when the dog is crated? It seems like the best thing to do.

BTW, unfortunately, our puppy Curly had to be put to sleep because she was very ill with a puppy disease otherwise I think the girls would be fine with the idea of a dog coming.

Heh I guess I answered my own question as that's probably what I'm going to do. I guess I needed to type it out? Bah.. I'm suffering from pregnancy brain lol.

LOL! Pregnancy Brain stinks so bad, I'm sorry and have felt your pain many times.

Do you have a backyard that you could lock the dog up in? I dont have any experience with pregnancies or cat pregnancies but i think it would be a good idea to keep the dog away. Especially a big dog.

What about Feliway too? Have you found that to work with your girls?

Good luck with everything